Punjab requests deployment of Pakistan Army, Rangers for Muharram security measures

The Punjab Home Department has written to the interior ministry to requisition troops from the Pakistan Army and Rangers to ensure security during the month of Muharram, it emerged on Monday.

In a letter to the interior ministry, dated June 4, the Home Department sought necessary action regarding the requisition of troops as requested by the Punjab police chief for security assistance.

The letter stated that the “present security environment underlines the requirement of evolving a deliberate and foolproof security mechanism” during the upcoming month of Muharram, in order to prevent action by terrorists or “miscreants”.

In total, the services of 137 army and Rangers companies, including 61 of the Pakistan Army and 76 of Rangers, have been requested across at least 37 districts of Punjab, according to the letter.

The deployment of both Army and Rangers personnel has been sought for Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana, Gujranwala, Narowal, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Wazirabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Chiniot, Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Kot Addu.

Only one army company has been requisitioned for Vehari, while only Rangers’ deployment has been sought for Sialkot, Jhelum, Mianwali, Lodhran, and Rahim Yar Khan. No companies were sought for Kasur and Murree.

The contingents are to provide security services during various periods between Muharram 1 and 12, according to the home department letter.

The department has also issued guidelines for the maintenance of peace and order for Muharram, requiring vigilance and extensive measures to ensure security.

In a seven-page order issued to all police and civil administration on Friday, it advised security measures even in remote areas and called for timely and proactive intelligence sharing between all law enforcement agencies.

Punjab Inspector General (IG) Abdul Kareem reviewed the security plan for Muharram at the Central Police Office last week. Noting that ensuring security during Muharram had become more challenging than before, he directed officers to perform their duties with full commitment.